A trip to Dauphin Island, Alabama is a ramble back to the way vacations used to be.

Only minutes from the city life of nearby Mobile, the Island’s uninterrupted stretches of white, sun-washed beaches and lush maritime forests are miles from the stresses of everyday life.

On Dauphin Island, the fishing is fine and the food is always fabulous. Anglers can take a professionally guided tour into the Gulf of Mexico or Mobile Bay in search of flounder, bull reds and sport fish. Back on land, there is never a shortage of sweet Alabama Wild Shrimp, crab, homemade breads and other luscious southern dishes, too.

History never grows old on Dauphin Island. From the tall oaks and tall tales of the prehistoric Indian Shell Mounds, to the stoic structures and museum at Fort Gaines, yesterday could easily be today.

Bike and hike among tall southern pines and native wildlife at the famous Audubon Bird Sanctuary, then [...]

When your family goes on a beach vacation in Florida, the last thing you want to worry about is your valuables getting lost or stolen. While many hotels have security guards roaming the halls, a safe room and reception area and security cameras, some are not as safe, and if you don’t take the necessary precautions your valuables could be stolen, sometimes without you even realizing it. In order for you to successfully keep track of your valuables while you’re on a family beach vacation, or any kind of vacation for that matter, follow these simple guidelines that will help ensure everything you brought on your trip comes back home with you.

• If the hotel room has a safe, use it for all your valuables including jewelry, electronic devices such as iPods, cameras or anything else that will fit that’s of worth to you or [...]

When your family goes on a beach vacation in Florida, the last thing you want to worry about is your valuables getting lost or stolen. While many hotels have security guards roaming the halls, a safe room and reception area and security cameras, some are not as safe, and if you don’t take the necessary precautions your valuables could be stolen, sometimes without you even realizing it. In order for you to successfully keep track of your valuables while you’re on a family beach vacation, or any kind of vacation for that matter, follow these simple guidelines that will help ensure everything you brought on your trip comes back home with you.

• If the hotel room has a safe, use it for all your valuables including jewelry, electronic devices such as iPods, cameras or anything else that will fit that’s of worth to you or [...]

Whether you are travelling on a business trip or taking a family beach vacation, arranging the contents of your suitcase is important to ensure nothing gets too wrinkled and you have room for everything you need. Many people tend to over pack, which just creates more work for you. Lugging around a heavy suitcase at the airport is no fun, especially when you really only need half the contents for your trip. Here are great packing tips to follow for the next family beach vacation you plan:

• First, make a list of everything you think you need to bring on your trip. Keep in mind where you are going, what activities you plan on doing and whether or not you’ll have a washer and dryer available while on the trip. After the list is complete, go back [...]

Lakewood Camping Resort – a family campground, where you’ll find beauty, fun and harmony. The Lakewood story began in 1959 when Carl and Marion Perry purchased Camp Beachwood, a tiny 25-site campground.

That family investment eventually grew to become the Lakewood Camping Resort. Today, the resort has 1200 beautiful and scenic campsites. The grounds include luxurious facilities that lie along a half-mile stretch of uninterrupted beach on the South end of South Carolina’s
Myrtle Beach.

Some of the many amenities include an indoor and outdoor pool and two waterslides. Lakewood Camping Resort is home to the world’s largest inflatable waterslide, the HIPPO. You can find your own treasures when you mine for gems at the Rivertown Mining Company. The campground is WI-FI capable. Golf cart rentals are available on site.

Lakewood Camping Resort is family owned and operated and is a mainstay for camping on the east coast. [...]

It may already be August, but “sun and fun” season is still in full swing!

If you’re planning to head to the shore anytime soon, it’s a good idea to put some thought behind packing for your family beach vacations.

Packing Tip #1. Leave Something Behind

Your house needn’t look vacant after you pack up your car or van. Regardless if you’re headed to a Florida vacation condo or similar family vacation spot, plan to only take what’s necessary. Often, that means merely a few changes of clothing (especially if you’ll have access to a washer/dryer) per person, minimal amount of toiletries, just necessary prescriptions, towels and bedding (perhaps) and one or two personal items (e.g., books, magazines.)

#2: Don’t Bring Mega Bottles of Certain Items

Why bring a full-size bottle of shampoo or conditioner to your Virginia lodging destination? Invest in travel-sized containers, buy “sample” products, or simply purchase these types of items when [...]